Page 50 of At the Edge with You

“I can help if you want,” he says, and I pull my gaze from the bed to him.

I shake my head. “I didn’t move much stuff from Chicago. So, it’s no problem to bring everything in one trip.”

“Good. I think this is for the best. You shouldn’t be somewhere that doesn’t make you happy.”

“Yeah,” I agree, watching as I unhook and hook my finger with his. “I appreciate your willingness to help me.”

He waves me off with his free hand. “This place is half yours.”

“For a year,” I say, meeting his gaze.

Pain moves through his brown eyes, and I wish I hadn’t said that. “A year,” he repeats, exhaling. The motion draws my attention to his chest, and of course, I avidly take him in.

I push off the window and step toward him. He doesn’t move, standing still as I soak up every single stroke of Hazel’s tattoo gun. Hazel’s style is very traditional, bold lines and vibrant colors. He has a huge eagle holding a gun on his stomach. Butterflies. Hockey sticks and pucks. A furious lion adorns his chest, along with smaller things that I know mean something to him. The Ohio State University Buckeye. A tattoo gun. A cross-stitching needle and a gold medal. But what catches my eye is the small lettering along his Adonis belt.

When we were younger, he had very pronounced abs. But now, he has a bit of a belly, and I love it. Even so, his Adonis belt is prominent and sexy. Without thinking, I run my finger along the words, leaving him to take in a sharp breath.

Feels Like Forever.

My eyes cut up to his, and through my lashes, he looks stunning as he gazes down at me. Heat burns in his eyes, his lips part, and once more, my core throbs for him. I swallow hard as I ask, “Is this the song we skated to?”

He hesitates but then nods. “It’s to remind me of us.”

My breath hitches as I tip my head back, and oh my, am I giving him access to my lips? He’d have to bend down to me, but with how he’s hungrily looking at me, I don’t think I’d have to wait long. Breathlessly, I ask, “Why have you been avoiding me?”

“Because.”

He doesn’t deny it, and while it thrills me, it makes me a bit sad. I pout before I ask, “Because why?”

He cups my jaw, dragging his thumb along my bottom lip, making me gasp. The movement is rough and leaves me wanting more. I press my mouth into his thumb, and his eyes flare with need. With his voice low and his eyes set only on me, he whispers, “Because I don’t know how much longer I can go without kissing you, and I know your parents don’t want that.”

My breath hitches, my heart pounding so hard in my ears it’s overstimulating me. Somehow I ask, “Why does it matter what they think?”

His eyes move quickly between both of mine, almost like he’s trying to make sure I mean what I say. “Because it always has.”

“Not anymore,” I promise. “It only matters what I think.”

He leans in a little closer, his breath warm against my parted lips. “And what do you think?”

“I think the last thing we need is distance.”

Jett nods slowly. “I agree.”

Boldly, I ask, “So, why are you still waiting?”

“I have no fucking clue.”

His eyes fall back to my lips just as his mouth descends to mine, and I’m fucking feral for his lips. It scares me how badly I want this, but I try to ignore it. I’m about to have my wildest fantasy come true, and I can’t ruin it.

Not that I have to, because the door flies open.

“Hey, JT—” I pull back just as he does, both our heads whipping to where Liam stands in his doorway. He gives us a sheepish look. “My bad, but, um, Phillip Winthrop’s lawyer is here to see you two.”

My brows come in tight, and when I look at Jett, he is mirroring my expression. He drops his hand from my face, and we both take a step apart. The loss of his touch rattles me, and it’s unnerving. Unsure what to do, I turn to Liam and plaster a wide smile on my face. I clap my hands and then bounce on my toes, but I have no clue what to say. I look back at Jett, and he sends me a charmed grin, shaking his head. He leans in, his lips by my ear. “Have I ever told you how fucking hot you make me when you get all flustered?”

Oh.

Oh my.

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